SB vows to approve P2-T national budget on time

MANILA, Philippines -  Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. is making sure the proposed P2.006-trillion national budget gets approved on time in the House of Representatives despite disruptions in the legislative sessions like the recent floods and successive public holidays.

Belmonte said the House committee on appropriations chaired by Cavite Rep. Joseph Emilio Abaya Jr. is doing its best to make sure a budget program is signed into law by President Aquino by December.

“The budget deliberations continue and I can assure you that we are going to pass this on time despite the series of holidays and postponement of work in the government as an offshoot of massive flooding,” Belmonte said.

He said Abaya has made a commitment to finish debates on the money measure “and has been relentless in conducting its deliberations to make up for lost time” and ensure there will be no reenacted budget for the third successive fiscal year.

Abaya said the committee aims to have the proposed national appropriations bill passed on third and final reading by October before it is brought to the Senate. Under the Constitution, the national budget must emanate from the House.

“We are still on target even though several (hearing) days were lost because of the floods and holidays. I am still meeting my staff to ensure flexibility,” Abaya said. Aquino submitted the proposed expenditure last July 24.

Belmonte earlier suspended legislative sessions to allow lawmakers to attend to their constituents affected by the floods.

Budget Secretary Florencio Abad earlier said the proposed spending program for 2013 is P190 billion more than this year’s budget and is based on assumption of six to seven percent economic growth.

He said in terms of allocation by sector, social services would get the biggest slice of the budget with P698.4 billion.

Economic services would be allotted P511.1 billion, up by 16.4 percent from 2012 allocation of P439 billion. The higher allocation is intended to support rapid, sustained, and inclusive growth, Abad said.

General public services will take the third largest share at P346.1 billion, higher by eight percent than current appropriation of P320.3 billion.